The past few months I have noticed a trend I find extremely distasteful; the resurgence of racism in America. If you follow the reports of institutionalized racism of blacks across our country, you will find it is alive and well, although we would like to believe things are getting better.
When the story in question came across my computer, I told myself I would ignore it. Everyone would forget the hateful words flowing across the media. Then a close friend urged me to say something, anything, to counteract the vitriol and ignorance of a select few.
As a child my father’s best friend was a black man named Bob Quincy. The two worked at the Los Angeles Times together as truck drivers and also rebuilt car motors as a hobby on weekends.
Bob and his family would come to our home and we would visit their home, and both our families got along very well together. As a child my first experience with blacks was a positive one, which has stayed with me as an adult. A few short years later I was working with Bob, as a rider, in his Times truck to South Los Angeles. So, naturally we would stop at many different Coffee shops such as the famous Holiday Bowl on Crenshaw Blvd. Again, I never experienced a problem with the many black men and women we would meet.
My first black girlfriend was Carmen Jones; this was back in 1974, so everywhere we would go people would stare. Seeing black men with white women was still not the norm yet, but a white man with black women was rather rare at the time.
Today, depending on what part of Los Angeles I’m visiting, the stares by disapproving individuals have lessened but, occasionally some people sit and stare at my partner and myself. When this happens, I usually give them something to stare at by showing public displays of affection which are genuine.
When the Los Angeles Times moved the employees from the Facilities Department (Janitorial) to the Operations Departments, we became “integrated” in the pressroom. You cannot work side by side with someone without forming long lasting bonds, no matter what race one might be. This is why I feel integration should be reinstated again, especially in elementary schools, so children can become acquainted with other races.
Six years ago I took my second course of African American Studies, at East Los Angeles College, and on the first day of class our professor was late arriving to our classroom. As I strolled into the classroom, I noticed the class was made up of mostly black students, and I had a pretty good idea of their thoughts
“This is our professor, a white man?”
Knowing what the students were thinking about me, I walked to each desk and introduced myself as Edward. I was doing my best to contain my laughter inside, as everyone was talking to one another about me. Professor Aaron, our instructor, steps in with hair in dread locks, looking cool, and made his introduction to the class. You can imagine the relief the students had at this point!!!
As I exited the classroom a crowd had formed outside, the kids were all waiting for me, with smiles on their faces. One of the students, that happened to be on the football team, spoke for the group. He said, “If you were the professor, we had planned to drop the class Edward” I was called professor by the children the remainder of the semester.
Two weeks ago my friend Jahmark contacted me regarding the use of the “N” word on You Tube, directed at him. He requested I write something meaningful and with love to the person, which was done in a peaceful manner which echoes the sentiments of Reggae music. Jahmark sings in the Reggae Band Jahmark and the Soulshakers, and his lyrics are one of unity of the races. I felt saddened by the fact that someone would even attempt to harm him with such language.
It’s really easy to throw hate back at racist people, but as intelligent beings with decency that all human beings should possess, we must not lower ourselves to their level but, lift them up to ours.
In closing, it was reported in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune this morning that Kenneth Eng was put on suspension, and the Blogosphere has reported that he has been terminated. The editor and publisher of Asian Week should also be terminated for allowing such hate to slip by.
Edward and Debi Padgett
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4 comments:
Here is Kenneth Eng's commentary.
Why I Hate Blacks
By Kenneth Eng, Feb 23, 2007
Here is a list of reasons why we should discriminate against blacks, starting from the most obvious down to the least obvious:
• Blacks hate us. Every Asian who has ever come across them knows that they take almost every opportunity to hurl racist remarks at us.
In my experience, I would say about 90 percent of blacks I have met, regardless of age or environment, poke fun at the very sight of an Asian.
Furthermore, their activity in the media proves their hatred: Rush Hour, Exit Wounds, Hot 97, etc.
• Contrary to media depictions, I would argue that blacks are weak-willed. They are the only race that has been enslaved for 300 years. It's unbelievable that it took them that long to fight back.
On the other hand, we slaughtered the Russians in the Japanese-Russo War.
• Blacks are easy to coerce. This is proven by the fact that so many of them, including Reverend Al Sharpton, tend to be Christians.
Yet, at the same time, they spend much of their time whining about how much they hate "the whites that oppressed them."
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Christianity the religion that the whites forced upon them?
• Blacks don't get it. I know it's a blunt and crass comment, but it's true. When I was in high school, I recall a class debate in which one half of the class was chosen to defend black slavery and the other half was chosen to defend liberation.
Disturbingly, blacks on the prior side viciously defended slavery as well as Christianity. They say if you don't study history, you're condemned to repeat it.
In high school, I only remember one black student ever attending any of my honors and AP courses. And that student was caught cheating.
It is rather troubling that they are treated as heroes, but then again, whites will do anything to defend them.
Ed I disagree with you.I do agree there is racism in this country but not to the extent that the media would like us to beleive. I grew up in Socal and have seen many many changes, areas that used to be white became black and areas that were black became hispanic.
You said you would like to see integrated schools, I thought they all are. I dont know of any school that is not integrated.
I also beleive people want to live with there "own people". That is not a bad thing look at all of the different races that live in many areas around Socal. What is unacceptable is a family moving into any area and they are not the same as the majority population and they are discriminated against.
In socal the population is very diverse and the people that are arriving to this country 5 minutes ago do not know what is acceptable and unacceptable in this country.
In Mexico there are many many cartoons in circulation that make fun of blacks,perhaps this is why they are so many fights on school campus.
We can throw all of the money in the world to solve every problem in America, but money is not the answer.
It is the break down of the American family. When we were children you had to respect your elders, respect other peoples property, respect women and not use foul language around them and if you slipped up and did say something you apologised. The clothing the kids wear now is digraceful, girls with there privates hanging out and not being embarrased about it. Boys calling girls wh***s.
Children are not taught in the home respect,the kids look up to Paris Hilton and her ilk, and dont get me going on MTV and similar networks.
Well I will stop my with my ranting , but to prove that America has come along way and there is not as much racism as we are expected to beleive.........
We might just have a Black President pretty soon and if Mr. Obama wins it will be because the white people put him there.
MR.OC
What's NOT to love about Black People?
Black People are PEOPLE, too! As are ASIANS!
Dude has it twisted!
First of all, this once again points to the blurring of blogging and journalism. And unfortunately, as blogging increases you're going to see less experienced editorial staffs letting stuff like this pass. (In fact, as I pointed out earlier, it's already started happening in the online edition of the LA Times with their choice to let Elizabeth Snead derride Johnny Depp's girlfriend's teeth).
Asian Week did a shoddy job in choosing his piece over (no doubt) many other submissions for print. I don't think our criticism should stay directed only towards Eng. No, we have to look at that editorial staff and their flawed reasoning, their lack of critical thinking skills to let this through.
But then they did an even dumber thing by not letting his words stay up there as an example of utter stupidity and racism within their own community. Then they tried to cover their tracks by saying they were sorry.
Hey, I think they all need to do a little soul searching here. Eng's an idiot, but so are they.
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